Windshield wiper clip and method for using same

ABSTRACT

A windshield wiper assembly for cleaning a windshield and a method for assembling the windshield wipe assembly is disclosed. The windshield wiper assembly includes at least a plurality of wiper blades, a windshield wiper arm, and a locking clip. The plurality of wiper blades contact the windshield and move reciprocatingly across the windshield. The windshield wiper arm is provided for supporting the plurality of wiper blades. The locking clip is attached at a first clip end to the windshield wiper arm and at a second clip end to one of the plurality of wiper blades for positioning the plurality of wiper blades proximate to each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to windshield wiper systems havingwindshield wiper arms, wherein the arms include brackets for supportingwindshield wiper blades.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventional windshield wiper systems have at least a motor,wiper blade arms (generally two), and wiper blades. Wiper blade armsgenerally include a main bracket and a plurality of secondary brackets.Typically, the wiper blades are configured to slide into engagement withthe secondary brackets. Some wiper blade arms are configured to carryone wiper blade, while other wiper blade arms are configured to carrymultiple wiper blades. It is known that prior art windshield wipersystems having a wiper blade which runs the length of the wiper bladearm may at times not contact the windshield, thus reducing theeffectiveness of the wiper blade in clearing the windshield. Thisproblem is more pronounced when the windshield has a high degree ofcurvature.

[0003] There does not exist a windshield wiper system which may beconfigured to carry one or a plurality of wiper blades. Morespecifically, the prior art windshield wiper systems can not beconverted from a one wiper blade windshield wiper system to a multiplewiper blade system to reduce or eliminate the problem described above.

[0004] Thus, a need exists for a new and improved windshield wipersystem for securing multiple wiper blades to a wiper blade arm. The newand improved windshield wiper system must be compatible with variouswindshield designs including highly curved windshields.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide alocking clip for securing a wiper blade to a wiper blade arm.

[0006] In accordance with this and other objects, the present inventionprovides a windshield wiper system. The windshield wiper system has awiper blade arm, a plurality of wiper blades, and a locking clip. Thewiper blade arm is adjacent a windshield for cleaning the windshield bymoving reciprocatingly across the windshield. The wiper blades areslidably secured to the wiper blade arm. Further, the locking clip isprovided for holding the wiper blades in close proximity to each other.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention awiper blade end bracket is provided for retaining each of the pluralityof wiper blades into engagement with the wiper arm.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention thewiper arm includes a primary bracket and a plurality of secondarybrackets.

[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the present inventioneach of the plurality of wiper blades have blade ends which are slidablysecured to the secondary arms and are positioned to overlap at the bladeends.

[0010] In accordance with still another aspect of the present inventionthe locking clip has a blade engagement portion for slidably engaging ablade end of each of the plurality of wiper blades.

[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthe locking clip has an wiper arm engagement portion for attaching theclip to the wiper arm.

[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthe locking clip has a first clip portion and a second clip portion.

[0013] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthe first clip portion includes an aperture for receiving a fastener forsecuring the first clip portion to the second clip portion.

[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present inventionthe second clip portion further comprises a plurality of apertures forreceiving a fastener for securing the second clip portion to the firstclip portion, wherein a length of the locking clip may be varied byselecting one of the plurality of apertures and receiving the fastenertherein.

[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention awindshield wiper assembly for cleaning a windshield is provided. Thewindshield wiper assembly includes a plurality of wiper blades, awindshield wiper arm, and a locking clip. The plurality of wiper bladescontact the windshield and move reciprocatingly across the windshield.The windshield wiper arm is provided for supporting the plurality ofwiper blades. The locking clip is attached at a first clip end to thewindshield wiper arm and at a second clip end to one of the plurality ofwiper blades for positioning the plurality of wiper blades proximate toeach other.

[0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention awindshield wiper assembly for cleaning a windshield is provided. Thewindshield wiper assembly has a plurality of wiper blades, a windshieldwiper arm, and a locking clip. The plurality of wiper blades contact thewindshield and move reciprocatingly across same. Further, the windshieldwiper arms are configured to provide support for the plurality of wiperblades. Additionally, the locking clip has a first clip portion and asecond clip portion for adjusting a length of the locking clip. Thefirst clip portion is attached to at least one of the plurality of wiperblades and the second clip portion is attached to at least one other ofthe plurality of wiper blades.

[0017] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention amethod for replacing a single windshield wiper blade with a plurality ofwiper blades is provided. The.method includes removing a first wiperblade from a wiper blade assembly, attaching a locking clip to a wiperarm of the wiper blade assembly, sliding a second wiper blade onto thewiper arm until an end clip of the first wiper blade engages a prongportion of the locking clip, and sliding a third wiper blade onto thewiper arm until an end clip of the third wiper blade engages a secondprong portion of the locking clip.

[0018] The above features, benefits and advantages and other features,benefits and advantages of the present invention are readily apparentfrom the following detailed description of the best mode for carryingout the invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a windshield wiper assemblyincluding a wiper arm, wiper blades, and locking clip, in accordancewith the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a top view of a windshield wiper assembly furtherillustrating the attachment of the locking clip to the wiper arm andwiper blades, in accordance with the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a side view of the locking clip and further illustratingthe downwardly extending clip prongs, in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the locking clipwherein the locking clip has an adjustable length, in accordance withthe present invention;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of thelocking clip wherein the locking clip attaches to only one secondarybracket of the wiper arm, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for using the lockingclip, in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, a windshield wiper assembly 10 isillustrated, in accordance with the present invention. Windshield wiperassembly 10 has a wiper arm 12, wiper blades 14, and a locking clip 16.Wiper arm 12 includes a primary bracket 18 and a plurality of secondarybrackets 20.

[0026] Each secondary bracket is pivotally attached to the primarybracket 18. Further, each secondary bracket has at each end a pair ofbracket prongs 22 which are configured to slidably engage a wiper blade.Wiper blades 14 include a rigid substrate 24 and a resilient wipermember 26. Rigid substrate 24 has a pair of opposed longitudinallyextending grooves 28 which slidably engage bracket prongs 22. Typically,rigid substrate 24 is made of an ABS plastic or similar material.

[0027] Resilient wiper member 26 is made of a resilient and pliablematerial which facilitates removing water and debris from the windshieldupon reciprocating movement of the wiper blade across the windshield.Additionally, a blade end clip 30 is fixed on rigid substrate 24. Bladeend clip 30 has a pair of blade clip prongs 32 at one end that engagethe secondary bracket prongs 22 and a turned down flange 34 at the otherend that prevents longitudinal movement of the wiper blade, as wellknown in the art.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention locking clip l6 isprovided for retaining wiper blades 14 in juxtaposition with each other.More specifically, locking clip 16 holds the overlapping ends of thewiper blades 14 in close proximity to each other by engaging the wiperblades and the secondary brackets. Secondary bracket prongs 22 capture aloop portion 36 in locking clip 16 and locking clip prongs 39 captureblade end clip prongs 32 and grooves 28 in wiper substrate 24 to securethe wiper blades to each other and prevent excessive relativelongitudinal movement thereof.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, locking clip 16 is shown infurther detail. As shown locking clip 16 has a generally flatlongitudinal member 40 that includes two apertures 42 at either end.Apertures 42 create clip end loops 44. A cross-sectional view of lockingclip 16 is shown in FIG. 3. Locking clip prongs 39 extend downwardlyfrom the locking clip 16 and are formed to grip longitudinal grooves 28in rigid substrate 24. Further, blade end clip prongs 32 are disposedbetween the rigid substrate 24 and the locking clip 16 and work toprevent disengagement of the wiper blade 14. More specifically, bladeend clip prongs 32 engage locking clip prongs 39. It is essential thatthe two blade ends are held in concert with each other and normal to thesurface of the windshield. The absence of the locking clip of thepresent invention would allow the blade ends to tip causing metal toglass contact and subsequent damage to the windshield.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, longitudinalmember 40 is replaced by spring 41. Spring 41 holds the two clip endloops 44 together but allows some longitudinal relative movementthereof. Apertures 43 are formed in each of the clip end loops forreceiving respective spring ends 45 of spring 41.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4 another embodiment locking clip 16′ isshown, in accordance with the present invention. Locking clip 16′ iscomprised of a first clip portion 60 and a second clip portion 62. Firstclip portion 60 has a loop portion 36′ and clip prongs 39′ havingsimilar configurations, as shown and described in the previousembodiment. Additionally, first clip portion 60 has an adjustmentaperture 64 for receiving an adjustment screw or bolt 66. Adjustmentscrew 66 and a fastener nut 68 fixes first clip portion 60 to secondclip portion 62. The adjustment screw 66 may be piaced for example intothree positioning apertures 70 to reduce or increase the length oflocking clip 16′. Of course, additional positioning apertures may beprovided if desired.

[0032] With specific reference to FIG. 5 yet another embodiment isillustrated, in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated,locking clip 16″ eliminates the longitudinal member 40 and end loopportions 36 shown and described in the previous embodiments. Lockingclip 16″ includes a clip prong end 80 and a secondary bracket attachmentend 82. Clip prong end 80 includes downwardly extending prongs 84 thatare formed to engage and fit within longitudinally extending grooves 38in wiper blades 14 in a similar manner, as shown and described in theprevious embodiments. Secondary bracket attachment end 82 has a C-shapedcross-section which is configured to grasp secondary bracket 20 asshown. Thus, the present embodiment's reduced overall size significantlyreduces material costs over the previous embodiments.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, a method for assembling the windshieldwiper assembly described above is illustrated, in accordance with thepresent invention. The method is initiated at block 100. As representedby block 102, the existing wiper blade(s) are removed from the wiper armand discarded. The locking clip 16 is attached to the wiper arm, in amanner as described in the previous embodiments, as represented by block104. A first wiper blade is slid onto the wiper arm until the end of theblade engages the locking clip 16, as represented by block 106. Finally,a second wiper blade is slid onto the wiper arm until the end of theblade engages the other end of the locking clip 16, as represented byblock 108. Of course, additional wiper blades may be used as desired,and the other embodiments of the locking clip may be used to practicethe above described method. The method is now complete as represented byblock 110.

[0034] Accordingly, it is readily apparent from the above disclosurethat the present invention offers many advantages and benefits over theprior art. For example, the present invention provides an assembly forcreating multiple overlapping wiper blades which may be used with curvedwindshields to facilitate increased windshield contact. Thus, thepresent invention allows vehicle designers to select windshields havinghigher curvatures to create vehicle appearance which were not feasiblein the past. Further, due to peculiarities in the market place aconsumer may use the instant windshield wiper assembly invention toreplace their current windshield wiper assemblies having only one wiperblade at a substantial cost savings. Moreover, the locking clip of thepresent invention insures that the wiper blades perform properly andthat the wiper blades stay in position as the wiper arm moves across thewindshield. Additionally, the present invention

[0035] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A windshield wiper system comprising: a wiper armadjacent a windshield for clearing the windshield by movingreciprocatingly across the windshield; a plurality of wiper bladesslidably secured to the wiper arm; and a locking clip for securing theplurality of wiper blades to the wiper blade arm.
 2. The windshieldwiper system of claim 1 further comprising a wiper blade end bracket forretaining each of the plurality of wiper blades into engagement with thewiper arm.
 3. The windshield wiper system of claim 1, wherein the wiperarm further comprises a primary bracket and a plurality of secondarybrackets.
 4. The windshield wiper system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of wiper blades include blade ends and are slidably secured tothe secondary arms and are positioned to overlap at the blade ends. 5.The windshield wiper system of claim 1, wherein the locking clip has ablade engagement portion for slidably engaging a blade end of each ofthe plurality of wiper blades.
 6. The windshield wiper system of claim1, wherein the locking clip has an wiper arm engagement portion forattaching the clip to the wiper arm.
 7. The windshield wiper system ofclaim 1, wherein the locking clip further comprises a first clip portionand a second clip portion.
 8. The windshield wiper system of claim 7,wherein the first clip portion and the second clip portion are joined bya spring.
 9. The windshield wiper system of claim 7, wherein the firstclip portion further comprises an aperture for receiving a fastener forsecuring the first clip portion to the second clip portion.
 10. Thewindshield wiper system of claim 7, wherein the second clip portionfurther comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving a fastener forsecuring the second clip portion to the first clip portion, wherein alength of the locking clip may be varied by selecting one of theplurality of apertures and receiving the fastener therein.
 11. Awindshield wiper assembly for cleaning a windshield comprising: aplurality of wiper blades for contacting a windshield and movingreciprocatingly back and forth across the windshield; a windshield wiperarm for supporting the plurality of wiper blades; and a locking clipattached at a first clip end to the windshield wiper arm and at a secondclip end to one of the plurality of wiper blades for positioning theplurality of wiper blades.
 12. The windshield wiper assembly claim 11,wherein the plurality of wiper blades each have at least one wiper bladeend which overlap with at least one other wiper blade end.
 13. Thewindshield wiper assembly of claim 11 further comprising a blade endbracket for retaining the plurality of wiper blades in engagement withthe wiper arm.
 14. The windshield wiper assembly of claim 11, whereinthe wiper arm further comprises a primary bracket and a plurality ofsecondary brackets.
 15. The windshield wiper assembly of claim 14,wherein the first clip end of the locking clip is attached the at leastone of the secondary brackets.
 16. A windshield wiper assembly forcleaning a windshield comprising: a plurality of wiper blades forcontacting a windshield and moving reciprocatingly back and forth acrossthe windshield; a windshield wiper arm for supporting the plurality ofwiper blades; and a locking clip having a first clip portion and asecond clip portion for adjusting a length of the locking clip, whereinthe first clip portion is attached to at least one of the plurality ofwiper blades and the second clip portion is attached to at least oneother of the plurality of wiper blades.
 17. The windshield wiperassembly claim 16, wherein the plurality of wiper blades each have atleast one wiper blade end which overlap with at least one other wiperblade end.
 18. The windshield wiper assembly of claim 16 furthercomprising a blade end bracket for retaining the plurality of wiperblades in engagement with the wiper arm.
 19. The windshield wiperassembly of claim 16, wherein the wiper arm further comprises a primarybracket and a plurality of secondary brackets.
 20. The windshield wipersystem of claim 16, wherein the first clip portion further comprises anaperture for receiving a fastener for securing the first clip portion tothe second clip portion.
 21. The windshield wiper system of claim 20,wherein the second clip portion further comprises a plurality ofapertures for receiving a fastener for securing the second clip portionto the first clip portion, wherein a length of the locking clip may bevaried by selecting one of the plurality of apertures and receiving thefastener therein.
 22. A method for replacing a current windshield wiperblade with a plurality of wiper blades, the method comprising: removinga first wiper blade from a wiper blade assembly; attaching a lockingclip to a wiper arm of the wiper blade assembly; sliding a second wiperblade onto the wiper arm until an end clip of the first wiper bladeengages a prong portion of the locking clip; and sliding a third wiperblade onto the wiper arm until an end clip of the third wiper bladeengages a second prong portion of the locking clip.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the wiper arm further comprises a main bracket and aplurality of secondary brackets.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein thewiper blades are secured to the secondary arms and overlap at a bladeend.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the clip has a blade end forslidably engaging an end of the wiper blade.
 26. The method of claim 22,wherein the clip has an arm end for capturing the wiper arm.
 27. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the clip has a pair of blade arms forslidably gripping an end of the wiper blade.
 28. The method of claim 22,wherein the clip further comprises a first clip portion and a secondclip portion.
 29. The windshield wiper system of claim 28, wherein thefirst clip portion further comprises an aperture for receiving afastener for securing the first clip portion to the second clip portion.30. The windshield wiper system of claim 22, wherein the second clipportion further comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving afastener for securing the second clip portion to the first clip portion,wherein a length of the locking clip may be varied by selecting one ofthe plurality of apertures and receiving the fastener therein.